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boyhood, produced a moody lithograph Building Sequence and Credits. Above (left): Cover of a Bijou program
in 1950 titled Demolition of the Bijou from August 1900 during Harry Rickards
1876 First theatre and Arcade
Theatre. His perspective is from inside reign.
designed by Joseph Reed and
the breached walls looking towards Top, right: Introduced at the Bijou in
Frederick Barnes for alderman Joseph
workmen loading rubble into horse- 1912, ‘The Worlds Pictures’ claimed to be
Aarons.
drawn drays. Beyond are tiny cottages the first to produce a stereoscopic effect,
1888 John Little’s design
with twisted chimneys. (6) ‘giving the figures projected a natural
integrates the Palace hotel (seven
It’s not just a theatre that has gone, rotundity, and the scenic subjects a
but another world. ★ storeys, a tower with two lifts) with realistic perspective.’ (Table Talk 31 July
the Arcade, which becomes the
1912) At the same time the Gaiety was
entrance to the hotel and the theatres.
REFERENCES showing the ‘latest moving pictures by
1. The Building and Engineering The complex was built for Mr. J.A. the Miorama.’
Journal 5 January 1889 pp 4-5. Wilson. Above, right: And it all came to this.
2. Ross Thorne, Theatre Building in 1890 George Johnson’s design for
Australia to 1905. University of Sydney the rebuilt Bijou retained much of the
1971 p194 earlier theatre.
3. Eric Irwin, Dictionary of Australian The architect for the Gaiety was
Theatre 1788 – 1914 Hale and not named in the documents
Iremonger 1985 p191 available.
4. Table Talk April 1912
5. Frank Van Straten Information sheet Improvements to both theatres
4, Performing Arts Museum –seating, repainting etc –continued
6. Latrobe Library. Call No. PIC LTF into the 1920s.
Box/Annois Part1 NE wing.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am indebted to Ian Smith, Dr. Mimi
Colligan and David Richards for extra
research, supplying copies of original
plans and a cut-away reconstruction of
the Bijou.

16 2005 CINEMARECORD